tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post1242933718548392151..comments2023-10-26T11:34:38.322-04:00Comments on Ask Allison: I'm Unboxed! And Working MomsAllison Winn Scotchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820208316115681320noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-70078185481197224582007-05-11T08:02:00.000-04:002007-05-11T08:02:00.000-04:00I have in-home childcare for my toddler 3 days a w...I have in-home childcare for my toddler 3 days a week, 6 hrs per day. But usually I have to use that time for errands, interviews, my part-time IT consulting job, etc. So I tend to do all my long-form writing in the early a.m. or late at night. Small pieces, travel roundups, and assignments like "Ten ways to..." can be parceled out in bits and pieces throughout on those days when I'm home with my little one. And I've found especially that if I don't exercise first thing (6am or so), the rest of my day feels frustrating and as if it's slipping, no matter what kind of sleep I had the night before. I bumped up my treadmilling from a half-hour to a full hour and it is making a huge difference in my energy level and ability to concentrate -- probably because I can work out my physical kinks as well as mull over my writing subconsciously.MDiskinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15838716310730455831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-12968595117179246122007-05-04T15:41:00.000-04:002007-05-04T15:41:00.000-04:00Mia-Good point, and one I meant to make: you absol...Mia-<BR/><BR/>Good point, and one I meant to make: you absolutely have to treat it like a business, even if you're home, unshowered in your sweats. If you don't, you're dead in the water to begin with.<BR/><BR/>AllisonAllison Winn Scotchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06820208316115681320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-52404887905188360092007-05-04T15:39:00.000-04:002007-05-04T15:39:00.000-04:00I think my biggest challenge is over-promising, es...I think my biggest challenge is over-promising, especially when it comes to work and deadlines. I think I do it in part to put a little pressure on myself, otherwise I put it off indefinitely, but it adds so much stress it's not worth it. <BR/><BR/>Now I try not to over-promise but I still cut it close. I get started immediately hoping I have a shot at finishing early. With kids, a business, and life, that rarely happens but at least it helps keep things manageable. For me, being able to write and stay home with my kids (I did the corporate thing and, quite frankly, don't evey want to go back!) is really a blessing, so I don't take it lightly - I treat it as a job. I figure if my kids have to sit in my home office with me, my 6 year old on the computer (we homeschool - I know, crazy! But my husband and I love it) and my 15 month with a mililon toys so I can work for a couple of hours (interrupted by snack, diaper changes, nursings, and all that fun stuff), so be it. They can deal. They're still with me and they're safe, and I love them like crazy, but I have to get this work done!!<BR/><BR/>I think when our kids are young we just have to do the best we can. And sometimes it's not so pretty, but cut yourself some slack and build a schedule that lets you get a couple of hours a day, and then work like crazy during those hours. You can do it - good luck!Mia Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17336557186169100337noreply@blogger.com